Reading desk used in sitting or lying position

ABSTRACT

A reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position includes a downwardly open box-shaped housing secured to the ceiling of a building, a take-up roll mounted within the housing, a rotation assembly mounted at one side of the take-up roll to rotate the take-up roll in the forward or reverse direction, a pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to the take-up roll to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll and the other end extending downward from the housing, and a book holder having an upper portion connected to the other ends of the pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation of the rotation assembly to be inserted into the housing or exposed to the outside.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a reading desk for use in a sitting orlying position. More specifically, the present invention relates to areading desk that can be used by patients and the handicapped who spenda lot of time in a lying position and children and ordinary persons whoenjoy reading in a lying position on beds or beddings, even those in asitting position, to conveniently read books.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, people have spent more time at reading desks in asitting position to read books for study, business and self-development.A general reading desk is simply designed to support a book to allow auser to conveniently read the book. The reading desk typically includesa desk for holding the book and a chair integrated with or separatedfrom the desk.

A user of the reading desk needs to sit on the chair for a long time toread the book on the reading desk. This makes it impossible for apatient suffering from backache, a physically disabled patient or ahandicapped person to use the reading desk.

Further, when children and ordinary persons sit on chairs to read booksfor a long time, their postures become unstable, for example, theirbodies tend to incline or lean to one side. Particularly, reading for along time causes serious side effects, such as severe curvature of thespine, in growing young students.

Under these circumstances, reading desks designed for use in a lyingposition are currently being developed. However, since such readingdesks are not suitable for use in a sitting position, they cannot beeasily used by children and ordinary persons. Particularly, the largesize of the reading desks makes it difficult to store when not in use.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the aboveproblems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide areading desk that can be used by patients and the handicapped who spenda lot of time in a lying position and children and ordinary persons whoenjoy reading in a lying position on beds or beddings, even those in asitting position, to conveniently read books.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reading deskfor use in a sitting or lying position that is secured to the ceiling ofa living room or bedroom in a building, such as an apartment, or theceiling of a patient's room in a hospital or sanatorium, and is designedto move toward the ceiling for storage when not in use and to movedownward when in use.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided areading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the reading deskincluding: a downwardly open box-shaped housing secured to the ceilingof a building; a take-up roll mounted within the housing; a rotationassembly mounted at one side of the take-up roll to rotate the take-uproll in the forward or reverse direction; a pair of belts, each of whichhas one end connected to the take-up roll to be wound on or unwound fromthe take-up roll and the other end extending downward from the housing;and a book holder having an upper portion connected to the other ends ofthe pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation ofthe rotation assembly to be inserted into the housing or exposed to theoutside.

The reading desk further includes foldable parts, each of which has anupper end connected to one side of the housing and a lower end connectedto one side of the book holder, and whose length is adjustable in thevertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descendingoperation of the book holder.

The foldable parts are foldable connectors that are folded or unfoldedin the vertical direction.

The foldable parts are multi-stage poles that are drawn in or drawn outin the vertical direction.

The other ends of the pair of belts penetrate the multi-stage poles andare connected to the book holder.

The rotation assembly includes a bracket fixed to the housing, a gearmounted to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted to rotate the gear inthe forward or reverse direction.

Particularly, a lamp is mounted on the book holder.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the reading deskincluding: a downwardly open box-shaped housing secured to the ceilingof a building; a motor mounted at one side of the outer surface of thehousing and receiving external power to create a rotating force in theforward or reverse direction; a control unit adapted to control theoperation of the motor; a take-up roller axially connected to a rotatingshaft of the motor to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft; a pairof rollers freely rotatably mounted at the inner upper side of thehousing; a pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to thetake-up roller to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roller and theother end extending downward from the housing by the operation of thepair of rollers; and a book holder having an upper portion connected tothe other ends of the pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend bythe operation of the motor to be inserted into the housing or exposed tothe outside.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, thereading desk including: a downwardly open box-shaped housing secured tothe ceiling of a building; a motor mounted at one side of the inner orouter surface of the housing and receiving external power to create arotating force in the forward or reverse direction; a control unitadapted to control the operation of the motor; a take-up roll axiallyconnected to a rotating shaft of the motor to rotate integrally with therotating shaft and mounted within the housing; a pair of belts, each ofwhich has one end connected to the take-up roll to be wound on orunwound from the take-up roll and the other end extending downward fromthe housing; and a book holder having an upper portion connected to theother ends of the pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by theoperation of the motor to be inserted into the housing or exposed to theoutside.

The reading desk further includes foldable parts, each of which has anupper end connected to one side of the housing and a lower end connectedto one side of the book holder, and whose length is adjustable in thevertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descendingoperation of the book holder.

The foldable parts are foldable connectors that are folded or unfoldedin the vertical direction.

The foldable parts are multi-stage poles that are drawn in or drawn outin the vertical direction.

The other ends of the pair of belts penetrate the multi-stage poles andare connected to the book holder.

Particularly, a lamp is mounted on the book holder.

Advantageous Effects

Patients and the handicapped who spend a lot of time in a lying positionand children and ordinary persons who enjoy reading in a lying positionon beds or beddings can use the reading desk of the present invention toconveniently read books.

Children and ordinary persons tend to take a lying position to continueto read books when they feel physically uncomfortable during reading ina sitting position. In this case, the use of the reading desk accordingto the present invention is effective in preventing muscle pain and backpain resulting from a lying or sitting position for a long time.

The reading desk of the present invention is secured to the ceiling of aroom, such as a living room or bedroom, in a building, such as anapartment, or the ceiling of a patient's room in a hospital orsanatorium. Therefore, it is easy to secure a space necessary forinstallation of the reading desk. The reading desk of the presentinvention is designed to move toward the ceiling for storage when not inuse after installation. Due to this design, the reading desk of thepresent invention can be simply stored without interfering with walking.Particularly, the reading desk of the present invention does not requirea separate space for storage, which is advantageous in terms of spaceefficiency.

A personal mobile terminal, like iPad, instead of a book may also beheld on the book holder.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are front and side views illustrating a reading deskfor use in a sitting or lying position according to a first embodimentof the present invention, respectively.

FIG. 1 c is a view illustrating a state in which the first embodiment isin use.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are front and plan views illustrating another exampleof foldable parts of the first embodiment, respectively, and FIG. 2 c isa view illustrating a state in which the embodiment is in use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a book holder of the readingdesk according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are front and side views illustrating a reading deskfor use in a sitting or lying position according to a second embodimentof the present invention, respectively.

FIG. 4 c is a view illustrating a state in which the second embodimentis in use.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are front and side views illustrating a reading deskfor use in a sitting or lying position according to a third embodimentof the present invention, respectively.

FIG. 5 c is a view illustrating a state in which the third embodiment isin use.

BEST MODE

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described inmore detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are front and side views illustrating a reading deskfor use in a sitting or lying position according to a first embodimentof the present invention, respectively, FIG. 1 c is a view illustratinga state in which the first embodiment is in use, FIGS. 2 a and 2 b arefront and plan views illustrating another example of foldable parts ofthe first embodiment, respectively, FIG. 2 c is a view illustrating astate in which the embodiment is in use, and FIG. 3 is a perspectiveview illustrating a book holder of the reading desk according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to these figures, the reading desk 1 for use in a sitting orlying position includes: a downwardly open box-shaped housing 10 securedto the ceiling of a building; a take-up roll 20 mounted within thehousing 10; a rotation assembly 30 mounted at one side of the take-uproll 20 to rotate the take-up roll 20 in the forward or reversedirection; a pair of belts 40, each of which has one end connected tothe take-up roll 20 to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll 20and the other end extending downward from the housing 10; and a bookholder 50 having an upper portion connected to the other ends of thepair of belts 40 and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation ofthe rotation assembly 30 to be inserted into the housing 10 or exposedto the outside.

Preferably, the housing 10 is mounted adjacent to the ceiling or isembedded in the ceiling, the take-up roll 20 is axially rotatablysecured within the housing 10 at both sides thereof, and the book holder50 is made of a transparent material so that a user in a lying positioncan read a book in an overturned state.

The rotation assembly 30 includes a bracket 31 fixed to the housing 10,a gear 32 mounted to the bracket 31, and a ball chain 33 adapted torotate the gear 32 in the forward or reverse direction. The pair ofbelts 40 are preferably flat belts or wire belts.

That is, the take-up roll 20 is axially coupled to the gear 32 at oneside thereof and is fixedly mounted within the housing 10. The take-uproll 20 is rotated in the forward or reverse direction by themanipulation of the ball chain 33.

Bearings are preferably mounted at both sides of the housing 10 withinwhich the take-up roll 20 is fixedly mounted.

The book holder 50 has a quadrangular shape, as illustrated in FIG. 3.Preferably, upwardly protruding barriers 51 are formed at the four sidesof the book holder 50, and an insertion recess 52, through which a usercan insert his/her hand to hold the book placed on the book holder 50,is formed at the front or rear side of the book holder 50.

This structure can prevent the book placed on the book holder 50 fromslipping off or falling down from the book holder 50, which inflicts aninjury on the user in a lying position who is reading the book. The userin a lying position can insert his/her hand through the insertion recess52 to turn the pages of the book while grasping the book placed on thebook holder 50 and can again hold the book in a simple manner.

The operation of the reading desk 1 will be described in detail. When auser in a lying position intends to read a book, he/she manipulates topull the ball chain 33 in the vertical direction to rotate the gear 32.The take-up roll 20 is rotated by the rotation of the gear 32, andsimultaneously the pair of belts 40 connected to the take-up roll 20 areunwound to allow the book holder 50 to descend.

The user locates the book on the book holder 50 such that the cover ofthe book directs toward the ceiling, and as a result, he/she can readthe content of the book through the transparent book holder 50 even in alying position.

Alternatively, when a user in a sitting position intends to read a bookon the floor, a chair or a bed, he/she manipulates the ball chain 33 tolocate the book holder 50 on his/her chest or abdomen. Thereafter, theuser locates the book on the book holder 50 such that the cover of thebook directs toward the ground, and as a result, he/she can read thebook even in a sitting position.

After reading the book, the user pulls the ball chain 33 in the oppositedirection to allow the book holder 50 to ascend until the book holder 50is inserted into or positioned adjacent to the housing 10, where thebook holder 50 is stored.

Although the book holder is designed to place a book thereon in theforegoing embodiment, it should be understood that a personal mobileterminal, like iPad, or a small-sized device, like a portable computer,instead of a book may also be placed on the holder.

The reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position is preferablyconstructed such that the book holder 50 is suspended in midair by thepair of belts 40, but is not limited to this construction. Preferably,the reading desk 1 further includes foldable parts 60, each of which hasan upper end connected to one side of the housing 10 and a lower endconnected to one side of the book holder 50, and whose length isadjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascendingor descending operation of the book holder 50.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the foldable parts 60 arepreferably foldable connectors 61 that are folded or unfolded in thevertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descendingoperation of the book holder 50.

Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by themanipulation of the ball chain 33, the foldable connectors 61 areunfolded in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction withthe descending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, whenthe book holder 50 is moved upward by the manipulation of the ball chain33, the pair of belts 40 are wound on the take-up roll 20 and thefoldable connectors 61 are folded in the vertical direction by theascending book holder 50.

Preferably, the foldable parts 60 are multi-stage poles 62 that aredrawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction in conjunction with theascending or descending operation of the book holder 50, as illustratedin FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c.

The other ends of the pair of belts 40 penetrate the multi-stage poles62 and are connected to the book holder 50.

Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by themanipulation of the ball chain 33, the multi-stage poles 62 are drawnout in the vertical direction by their weight in conjunction with thedescending operation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when thebook holder 50 is moved upward by the manipulation of the ball chain 33,the pair of belts 40 are wound on the take-up roll 20 and themulti-stage poles 62 are drawn in in the vertical direction by theascending book holder 50.

Due to this construction, the foldable parts 60 allow the book holder 50to be stably suspended from the ceiling without shaking.

A lamp 53 is preferably mounted on the book holder 50, as illustrated inFIG. 1 c. The lamp may be, for example, a desk lamp.

A light source for the lamp 53 is turned “ON” by a general source ofelectricity, such as a dry cell or battery. The lamp 53 may bedetachably attached to the book holder 50 by a clamp, if needed.Preferably, the light source is connected to the clamp through bellowsso that the lamp can illuminate the lower side of the book holder 50when a user in a lying position intends to read a book, and the lamp canilluminate the upper side of the book holder 50 when a user in a sittingposition intends to read a book.

This construction enables the user in a sitting or lying position tocomfortably read a book even in the nighttime without interfering withothers.

Mode for Invention

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are front and side views illustrating a reading deskfor use in a sitting or lying position according to a second embodimentof the present invention, respectively, and FIG. 4 c is a viewillustrating a state in which the second embodiment is in use.

Referring to FIGS. 4 a, 4 b and 4 c, the reading desk 1 for use in asitting or lying position includes: a downwardly open box-shaped housing10 secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor 70 mounted at one sideof the outer or inner surface of the housing 10 and receiving externalpower to create a rotating force in the forward or reverse direction; acontrol unit (not shown) adapted to control the operation of the motor70; a take-up roll 20 axially connected to a rotating shaft of the motor70 to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft and mounted within thehousing 10; a pair of belts 40, each of which has one end connected tothe take-up roll 20 to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll 20and the other end extending downward from the housing 10; and a bookholder 50 having an upper portion connected to the other ends of thepair of belts 40 and adapted to ascend or descend by the operation ofthe motor 70 to be inserted into the housing 10 or exposed to theoutside.

The housing 10 is mounted adjacent to the ceiling or is embedded in theceiling. The take-up roll 20 is axially rotatably secured to both innersides of the housing 10 wherein one side of the take-up roll 20 isaxially connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 70 to rotateintegrally with the rotating shaft.

One end of each of the belts 40 is connected to the take-up roll 20 andthe other end thereof is connected to the holder 50. With theseconnections, the belts 40 are wound on or unwound from the take-up roll20 by the operation of the motor 70 to allow the book holder 50 toascend or descend.

The motor 70 is operated when external power is applied thereto. Thecontrol unit controls the forward or reverse rotation of the motor 70and stops the operation of the motor 70.

The control unit transmits a signal wirelessly or wired. The controlunit includes an “UP” button for upwardly moving the book holder 50, a“DOWN” button for downwardly moving the book holder 50, and a “POWER-ON”button for applying power to the motor 70.

That is, power is applied to the motor 70 when the “POWER-ON” button ispressed, and the book holder 50 descends without being stopped when the“DOWN” button is kept pressed long and ascends without being stoppedwhen the “UP” button is kept pressed long.

When the user's hand is removed from the “DOWN” or “UP” button, the bookholder 50 is stopped in place.

Therefore, a patient suffering from backache, a physically disabledpatient or a handicapped person in a lying position can simplymanipulate the control unit to upwardly or downwardly move the bookholder 50, so that he/she can read a book.

The reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position is preferablyconstructed such that the book holder 50 is suspended in midair by thepair of belts 40, but is not limited to this construction. The readingdesk 1 may further include foldable parts 60, each of which has an upperend connected to one inner side of the housing 10 and a lower endconnected to one side of the book holder 50, and whose length isadjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascendingor descending operation of the book holder 50.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, the foldable parts 60 arepreferably foldable connectors 61 that are folded or unfolded in thevertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descendingoperation of the book holder 50.

Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the forwardrotation of the motor 70, the foldable connectors 61 are unfolded in thevertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descendingoperation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder50 is moved upward by the reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair ofbelts 40 are wound on the take-up roll 20 and the foldable connectors 61are folded in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.

Preferably, the foldable parts 60 are multi-stage poles 62 that aredrawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction in conjunction with theascending or descending operation of the book holder 50, as illustratedin FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

The other ends of the pair of belts 40 penetrate the multi-stage poles62 and are connected to the book holder 50.

Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the forwardrotation of the motor 70, the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn out in thevertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descendingoperation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder50 is moved upward by the reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair ofbelts 40 are wound on the take-up roll 20 and the multi-stage poles 62are drawn in in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.

Due to this construction, the foldable parts 60 allow the book holder 50to be stably suspended from the ceiling without shaking.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b are front and side views illustrating a reading deskfor use in a sitting or lying position according to a third embodimentof the present invention, respectively, and FIG. 5 c is a viewillustrating a state in which the third embodiment is in use.

Referring to FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c, the reading desk 1 for use in asitting or lying position includes: a downwardly open box-shaped housing10 secured to the ceiling of a building; a motor 70 mounted at one sideof the outer surface of the housing 10 and receiving external power tocreate a rotating force in the forward or reverse direction; a controlunit (not shown) adapted to control the operation of the motor 70; atake-up roller 20′ axially connected to a rotating shaft of the motor 70to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft; a pair of rollers 80freely rotatably mounted at the inner upper side of the housing 10; apair of belts 40, each of which has one end connected to the take-uproller 20′ to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roller and theother end extending downward from the housing 10 by the operation of thepair of rollers 80; and a book holder 50 having an upper portionconnected to the other ends of the pair of belts 40 and adapted toascend or descend by the operation of the motor 70 to be inserted intothe housing 10 or exposed to the outside.

Due to this construction, when the control unit is manipulated such thatthe book holder 50 descends, the motor 70 is rotated. The take-up roller20′ is rotated by the rotation of the motor 70, and simultaneously, thepair of belts 40 connected to the take-up roller 20′ are unwound toallow the book holder 50 to descend.

The user locates the book on the book holder 50 such that the cover ofthe book directs toward the ceiling, and as a result, he/she can readthe content of the book through the transparent book holder 50 even in alying position.

Alternatively, when a user in a sitting position intends to read a bookon the floor, a chair or a bed, he/she manipulates the control unit tolocate the book holder 50 on his/her chest or abdomen. Thereafter, theuser locates the book on the book holder 50 such that the cover of thebook directs toward the ground, and as a result, he/she can read thebook even in a sitting position.

After reading the book, the user manipulates the control unit to allowthe book holder 50 to ascend. At this time, the motor 70 is rotated inthe reverse direction and the pair of belts 40 connected to the take-uproller 20′ are wound. As a result, the book holder 50 ascends and isinserted into or positioned adjacent to the housing 10.

The reading desk 1 for use in a sitting or lying position is preferablyconstructed such that the book holder 50 is suspended in midair by thepair of belts 40, but is not limited to this construction. The readingdesk 1 may further include foldable parts 60, each of which has an upperend connected to one side of the housing 10 and a lower end connected toone side of the book holder 50, and whose length is adjustable in thevertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descendingoperation of the book holder 50.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c, the foldable parts 60 arepreferably foldable connectors 61 that are folded or unfolded in thevertical direction in conjunction with the ascending or descendingoperation of the book holder 50.

Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the forwardrotation of the motor 70, the foldable connectors 61 are unfolded in thevertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descendingoperation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder50 is moved upward by the reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair ofbelts 40 are wound on the take-up roller 20′ and the foldable connectors61 are folded in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder 50.

Preferably, the foldable parts 60 are multi-stage poles 62 that aredrawn in or drawn out in the vertical direction in conjunction with theascending or descending operation of the book holder 50, as illustratedin FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

The other ends of the pair of belts 40 penetrate the multi-stage poles62 and are connected to the book holder 50.

Specifically, when the book holder 50 is moved downward by the forwardrotation of the motor 70, the multi-stage poles 62 are drawn out in thevertical direction by their weight in conjunction with the descendingoperation of the book holder 50. Contrary to this, when the book holder50 is moved upward by the reverse rotation of the motor 70, the pair ofbelts 40 are wound on the take-up roller 20′ and the multi-stage poles62 are drawn in in the vertical direction by the ascending book holder50.

Due to this construction, the foldable parts 60 allow the book holder 50to be stably suspended from the ceiling without shaking.

Although the reading desk for use in a sitting or lying positionaccording to the present invention has been described with reference tothe foregoing embodiments, these embodiments are provided forillustrative purposes only and do not serve to limit the scope of theinvention. Those with ordinary knowledge in the art to which the presentinvention belongs will appreciate that various modifications can be madeto the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined in the claims that follow.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The reading desk of the present invention can be used by patients andthe handicapped who spend a lot of time in a lying position and childrenand ordinary persons who enjoy reading in a lying position on beds orbeddings to conveniently read books. In addition, the reading desk ofthe present invention can be used by a user in a sitting position toread a book. The reading desk of the present invention can be widelyused at general home, in hospital rooms, etc. A PDA terminal, such asiPad, instead of a book can be placed on the reading desk of the presentinvention. Therefore, the reading desk of the present invention isparticularly expected to have high industrial applicability, forexample, as a monitor holder of a stock trader who works using manydisplay terminals simultaneously.

1. A reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position, the readingdesk comprising: a downwardly open box-shaped housing secured to theceiling of a building; a take-up roll mounted within the housing; arotation assembly mounted at one side of the take-up roll to rotate thetake-up roll in the forward or reverse direction; a pair of belts, eachof which has one end connected to the take-up roll to be wound on orunwound from the take-up roll and the other end extending downward fromthe housing; and a book holder having an upper portion connected to theother ends of the pair of belts and adapted to ascend or descend by theoperation of the rotation assembly to be inserted into the housing orexposed to the outside.
 2. The reading desk according to claim 1,further comprising foldable parts, each of which has an upper endconnected to one side of the housing and a lower end connected to oneside of the book holder, and whose length is adjustable in the verticaldirection in conjunction with the ascending or descending operation ofthe book holder.
 3. The reading desk according to claim 2, wherein thefoldable parts are foldable connectors that are folded or unfolded inthe vertical direction.
 4. The reading desk according to claim 2,wherein the foldable parts are multi-stage poles that are drawn in ordrawn out in the vertical direction.
 5. The reading desk according toclaim 4, wherein the other ends of the pair of belts penetrate themulti-stage poles and are connected to the book holder.
 6. The readingdesk according to claim 1, wherein the rotation assembly comprises abracket fixed to the housing, a gear mounted to the bracket, and a ballchain adapted to rotate the gear in the forward or reverse direction. 7.The reading desk according to claim 6, wherein a lamp is mounted on thebook holder.
 8. A reading desk for use in a sitting or lying position,the reading desk comprising: a downwardly open box-shaped housingsecured to the ceiling of a building; a motor mounted at one side of theouter surface of the housing and receiving external power to create arotating force in the forward or reverse direction; a control unitadapted to control the operation of the motor; a take-up roller axiallyconnected to a rotating shaft of the motor to rotate integrally with therotating shaft; a pair of rollers freely rotatably mounted at the innerupper side of the housing; a pair of belts, each of which has one endconnected to the take-up roller to be wound on or unwound from thetake-up roller and the other end extending downward from the housing bythe operation of the pair of rollers; and a book holder having an upperportion connected to the other ends of the pair of belts and adapted toascend or descend by the operation of the motor to be inserted into thehousing or exposed to the outside.
 9. A reading desk for use in asitting or lying position, the reading desk comprising: a downwardlyopen box-shaped housing secured to the ceiling of a building; a motormounted at one side of the inner or outer surface of the housing andreceiving external power to create a rotating force in the forward orreverse direction; a control unit adapted to control the operation ofthe motor; a take-up roll axially connected to a rotating shaft of themotor to rotate integrally with the rotating shaft and mounted withinthe housing; a pair of belts, each of which has one end connected to thetake-up roll to be wound on or unwound from the take-up roll and theother end extending downward from the housing; and a book holder havingan upper portion connected to the other ends of the pair of belts andadapted to ascend or descend by the operation of the motor to beinserted into the housing or exposed to the outside.
 10. The readingdesk according to claim 8, further comprising foldable parts, each ofwhich has an upper end connected to one side of the housing and a lowerend connected to one side of the book holder, and whose length isadjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascendingor descending operation of the book holder.
 11. The reading deskaccording to claim 10, wherein the foldable parts are foldableconnectors that are folded or unfolded in the vertical direction. 12.The reading desk according to claim 10, wherein the foldable parts aremulti-stage poles that are drawn in or drawn out in the verticaldirection.
 13. The reading desk according to claim 12, wherein the otherends of the pair of belts penetrate the multi-stage poles and areconnected to the book holder.
 14. The reading desk according to claim13, wherein a lamp is mounted on the book holder.
 15. The reading deskaccording to claim 2, wherein the rotation assembly comprises a bracketfixed to the housing, a gear mounted to the bracket, and a ball chainadapted to rotate the gear in the forward or reverse direction.
 16. Thereading desk according to claim 3, wherein the rotation assemblycomprises a bracket fixed to the housing, a gear mounted to the bracket,and a ball chain adapted to rotate the gear in the forward or reversedirection.
 17. The reading desk according to claim 4, wherein therotation assembly comprises a bracket fixed to the housing, a gearmounted to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted to rotate the gear inthe forward or reverse direction.
 18. The reading desk according toclaim 5, wherein the rotation assembly comprises a bracket fixed to thehousing, a gear mounted to the bracket, and a ball chain adapted torotate the gear in the forward or reverse direction.
 19. The readingdesk according to claim 9, further comprising foldable parts, each ofwhich has an upper end connected to one side of the housing and a lowerend connected to one side of the book holder, and whose length isadjustable in the vertical direction in conjunction with the ascendingor descending operation of the book holder.